PUCSL refuses to accept tariff hike, says CEB doesn’t incur huge loss

• The PUCSL Chairman accepted the public petition signed by 6.9 million electricity consumers at his office​

 By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today stated that the proposed electricity tariff hike is unacceptable and said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has not incurred a huge loss over the past few years.  

While accepting the public petition signed by 6.9 million electricity consumers at his office, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said today that at least Rs.35 billion goes out of the CEB indirectly and the CEB does not incur losses.  

The prime reason for the loss was the inability to accurately manage Rs.35 billion. The ordinary tax policy of the country had been violated when taking the decision to increase the electricity tariff.  
When valuing one metric ton of coal, there is a price discrepancy of  US$90. 
“There is an error in this calculation,” he said.  

As a result, the PUCSL has full authority to reject the cabinet decision and announced that the electricity tariff hike is based on incorrect values. “The proposal for the electricity rate revision is an illegal decision taken by the ministry,” Ratnayake added.